Rex Healthcare to Hold 24-Hour Flu Vaccine Blitz for Co-Workers

MEDIA ALERTFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESept. 14, 2012

WHAT

To mark the start of flu season and to test emergency preparedness, Rex Healthcare will join an ambitious initiative to give flu vaccine shots to thousands of health workers across the Triangle in a single 24-hour period.

Rex’s mass vaccination drill will start at 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 19. Rex co-workers will receive flu shots at the main Raleigh campus and at each of Rex’s locations throughout Wake County. The drill will not be open to the general public.

The 24-hour flu vaccine blitz will take place in conjunction with similar drills at hospitals, clinics and health departments in Wake and Durham counties. Other partners include the Duke University Health System (including Duke Raleigh Hospital and Duke Durham Regional Hospital), Holly Hill Hospital, Wake and Durham county health departments, the Durham VA Medical Center, N.C. Specialty Hospital and Lincoln Community Health Center.

WHY

While last year’s flu season was mild, Rex is preparing for whatever this season might bring. This year Rex is making the annual flu vaccine mandatory for all of its co-workers.

“Patient safety is a top priority at Rex, and vaccination is an important way co-workers can protect themselves, patients and their families from the virus,” said Dr. Linda Butler, Rex’s Chief Medical Officer.

The flu vaccination drive also will serve as an exercise to test mass vaccination and drug distribution plans that would be used during an epidemic, pandemic or emergency event. All of the partners in the drill will receive a mock delivery of vaccine from the state’s strategic stockpile.

WHEN & WHERE

All day Wednesday, Sept. 19; all Rex locations

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY

We invite media to take photos/video of flu vaccine shots at Rex’s main campus. We can arrange interviews with medical and emergency experts at Rex about the vaccination exercise. For more information, contact Alan Wolf at alan.wolf@rexhealth.com or (919) 218-7103.

NOTE

This event is not open to the public. Flu shots are currently available at UNC Physicians Network offices. Please visit uncpn.com to find a practice near you and to schedule an appointment.